US President Donald Trump announced a short while ago a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that will take effect at midnight, Israel time. Trump also said he would invite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to meet at the White House.
"I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST," wrote Trump.
Full text of the agreement
Below is the text of the joint statement agreed upon by the Government of Israel and the Government of Lebanon:
Following productive direct talks on April 14 between the governments of the Republic of Lebanon (hereinafter "Lebanon") and the State of Israel (hereinafter "Israel"), brokered by the United States of America, Lebanon and Israel have reached an understanding in which both nations will work to create conditions conducive to lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border, while preserving Israel's inherent right to self-defense.
Both countries recognize the significant challenges faced by the Lebanese state from non-state armed groups, which undermine Lebanon's sovereignty and threaten regional stability. Both countries understand that those groups' activities must be curtailed, such that the only forces authorized to bear arms in Lebanon will be the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Internal Security Forces, Directorate of General Security, General Directorate of State Security, Lebanese Customs and Municipal Police (hereinafter "Lebanon's security forces").
Israel and Lebanon affirm that the two countries are not at war and commit to engaging in good-faith direct negotiations, facilitated by the United States, with the objective of achieving a comprehensive agreement that ensures lasting security, stability, and peace between the two countries.
To that end, the United States understands the following:
- Israel and Lebanon will implement a cessation of hostilities beginning on April 16, 2026, at 17:00 EST, for an initial period of ten days, as a gesture of goodwill by the Government of Israel, intended to enable good-faith negotiations toward a permanent security and peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
- This initial period may be extended by mutual agreement between Lebanon and Israel if progress is demonstrated in the negotiations and as Lebanon effectively demonstrates its ability to assert its sovereignty.
- Israel shall preserve its right to take all necessary measures in self-defense, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. This shall not be impeded by the cessation of hostilities. Besides this, it will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by land, air, and sea.
- From April 16, 2026, at 17:00 EST, forward, with international support, the Government of Lebanon will take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah and all other rogue non-state armed groups in the territory of Lebanon from carrying out any attacks, operations, or hostile activities against Israeli targets.
- All parties recognize Lebanon's security forces as having exclusive responsibility for Lebanon's sovereignty and national defense; no other country or group has claim to be the guarantor of Lebanon's sovereignty.
- Israel and Lebanon request that the United States facilitate further direct negotiations between the two countries with the objective of resolving all remaining issues, including demarcation of the international land boundary, with a view to concluding a comprehensive agreement that ensures lasting security, stability, and peace between the two countries.
The United States understands that the above commitments will be accepted by Israel and Lebanon concurrently with this announcement. These commitments are designed to create the conditions necessary for good-faith negotiations toward enduring peace and security. The United States further intends to lead international efforts to support Lebanon as a component of its broader efforts to advance stability and prosperity in the region.
The details behind the announcement
The Saudi channel Asharq published new details about the chain of events throughout the day that led to President Donald Trump's announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
According to the report, the call US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held this morning with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had been planned in advance as a follow-up to the meeting Washington hosted the day before yesterday between the Israeli ambassador and the Lebanese ambassador. It was not a response to Trump's post about a possible conversation between the Lebanese president and the Israeli prime minister.
After his call with Aoun, Rubio approached Trump and asked him to arrange a direct call between the US president and the Lebanese president. Trump agreed, and Rubio contacted Lebanon's ambassador in Washington to coordinate the conversation. During the call with Aoun, Trump described him as "a great leader" and asked how the US could help. Aoun asked him to work toward a ceasefire, and Trump replied, "I'll get that for you," before speaking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the report, Rubio has been investing major effort in the talks involving Lebanon and Israel.
"Opportunity to reach a historic peace agreement"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the ceasefire in a statement he delivered on Lebanon and Iran:
"We have an opportunity to reach a historic peace agreement with Lebanon. President Trump intended to invite me and the president of Lebanon in an effort to advance the agreement. That opportunity exists because since the War of Revival, we have fundamentally changed the balance of power in Lebanon. We activated the beepers. We destroyed the massive weapons stockpile of 150,000 rockets and missiles that Nasrallah had prepared to destroy Israel's cities. We eliminated Nasrallah. And the balance shifted so dramatically that over the past month we began receiving calls from Lebanon to hold direct peace talks between us and them."
Netanyahu referred to Israel's demands in the negotiations: "We have two fundamental demands: first, that Hezbollah be disarmed. Second, a sustainable peace agreement, peace through strength. In order to achieve the ceasefire, Hezbollah insisted on two conditions: the first condition was that Israel must withdraw from all Lebanese territory, up to the international border. The second condition was a ceasefire in the format of 'quiet for quiet.' I agreed to neither this nor that, and indeed neither of those two conditions is being met."
"We are remaining in Lebanon in an expanded security zone," he added. "This allows us, first of all, to block the danger of an invasion into our communities, and second, it allows us to prevent direct antitank fire into the communities. The communities are now protected from both of those dangers."
The prime minister also referred to the negotiations being conducted with Iran, saying: "I spoke with President Trump over the past two days, and he told me he is absolutely determined to continue both the naval blockade and efforts to bring about the dismantling of Iran's nuclear capability, what remains of it. He is not giving that up. He is confident he can remove that threat once and for all."
Netanyahu held a conference call with ministers to update them on the next steps in Lebanon. The ceasefire will apply only to fire from beyond the Litani River, as reported by Israel Hayom. The IDF is also expected to remain in the territory they captured in southern Lebanon and continue operating there.
In addition, Israel Hayom has learned that the IDF will be able to act against immediate threats north of the Litani as well, similar to the November 2024 agreement, along with a commitment not to strike Lebanese infrastructure unless it is being used by Hezbollah for military purposes.
Response from Hezbollah
Hezbollah member of parliament Hassan Fadlallah told Reuters that the terrorist organization had been informed by the Iranian ambassador in Beirut that a weeklong ceasefire would begin Thursday evening. Fadlallah also said the prospect of a ceasefire was the result of Iranian diplomatic efforts.
"Senior officials in Iran will monitor the American side's commitment to its promises. The resumption of Iran's negotiations with the US depends on the implementation of this commitment [the ceasefire in Lebanon]. It depends on the degree of commitment [by Israel] to all the provisions of the ceasefire," Fadlallah told Al Mayadeen, a channel affiliated with Hezbollah.
Voices in Lebanon
Earlier Thursday, Trump and Aoun spoke by phone. According to a report by the Qatari channel Al Araby, Lebanon received notice that a ceasefire with Israel would be announced within hours, according to a source in the Lebanese presidential office.
The Lebanese presidency said: "A phone call took place this afternoon between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. President Aoun again thanked Trump for his efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon and ensure peace and stability, in preparation for a peace process in the region. He expressed hope that these efforts would lead to a ceasefire as soon as possible. Trump expressed support for President Aoun and for Lebanon, and stressed his commitment to fulfilling the Lebanese request for a ceasefire as soon as possible."
In addition, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun refused Thursday to speak by phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Arab media reports.
The Lebanese channel MTV reported that Aoun had already spoken in the morning with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, and informed them that he was refusing to speak with Netanyahu in a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
At the same time, Aoun's office confirmed that he had received a phone call from Rubio. Aoun thanked him for Washington's efforts toward a ceasefire and for its support at all levels. Rubio, for his part, stressed that ongoing efforts were underway to achieve a ceasefire and lay the groundwork for peace, security and stability in Lebanon. It was also said that he expressed support for and appreciation of Aoun's positions.
During the day, Aoun stressed in a meeting with British Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer that "the ceasefire we are demanding with Israel is the natural gateway to direct negotiations."
According to Aoun, "The government's decisions to centralize weapons will be implemented in order to ensure protection for all Lebanese. The Lebanese want their state to be responsible for their security. Lebanon seeks to stop the escalation in the south and in all areas. The negotiations will be conducted exclusively by the Lebanese authorities because this is a matter of sovereignty in which no other party can be involved."
